Marine Turbine

Abstract

The present invention relates to a turbine for location of fluid flow. Aspects of the present invention aim to overcome the problems associated with complex marine turbines and provide a simple, robust and economic design. The blades may be located downstream of the turbine body and means are provided to enable relative rotational movement between the support and the turbine such that the turbine aligns with the fluid flow and at least one bearing is configured to be in contact with the fluid. There may also be provided an electrical connection means that comprises a first connection element for rotation with the turbine and a second element connection arranged to be non-rotating and be connected to the cable to a remote location. There may also be provided a support arranged to be fixedly connected to the ground in fluid flow, wherein the support comprises an elongate member having a top end and a bottom end, the portion of the support adjacent the top end having a reduced cross sectional area to the bottom end. There may also be a generator for a marine turbine comprising a rotor arrangement and stator arrangement wherein the generator is flooded with fluid in which the marine turbine is immersed. Additionally or alternatively, the rotor and/or the stator is provided with a matrix, layer and/or coating to provide a fluid sealing function. There may also be provided an axial load bearing assembly including a braking means arranged to control rotation of the shaft.

1 . A marine turbine arranged to be supported in a fluid flow on a support, the turbine comprising:
 a rotatably mounted shaft carrying a plurality of blades, and at least one bearing arranged to support the shaft and a generator arrangement including a rotor coupled with the shaft, and a stator,   wherein, the turbine, when in use, is arranged such that the blades are located downstream of the turbine body, the turbine further comprising means to enable relative rotational movement between the support and the turbine such that the turbine aligns with the fluid flow, and wherein the at least one bearing is configured to be in contact with the fluid.   
     
     
         2 . A turbine according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least one bearing is a polymer bearing.   
     
     
         3 . A turbine according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 forward and rearward bearing assemblies are located forward and rearward of the generator arrangement, the forward bearing assembly located further from the blades than the rearward bearing.   
     
     
         4 . A turbine according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 a braking means is provided to control rotation of the shaft.   
     
     
         5 . A turbine according to  claim 4 , wherein:
 the braking means is arranged to communicate with a forward bearing assembly.   
     
     
         6 . A turbine according to  claim 3 , wherein:
 the forward bearing assembly includes a bearing and brake disc.   
     
     
         7 . A turbine according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a cowling arranged to cover a plurality of the components of the turbine, the cowling having at least one aperture therein for enabling fluid to enter the cowling.   
     
     
         8 . A turbine according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 filter means arranged to filter objects from the fluid preventing entry to the at least one aperture.   
     
     
         9 . A turbine according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the turbine is arranged such that, when in use, fluid floods the separation between the rotor and the stator of the generator arrangement.   
     
     
         10 . A turbine according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the rotor and the stator of the generator arrangement are provided with a matrix, layer and/or coating to provide a fluid sealing function.   
     
     
         11 . A turbine according to  claim 10 , wherein:
 the matrix is a glue.   
     
     
         12 . A turbine according to  claim 11 , wherein:
 the matrix is epoxy.   
     
     
         13 . A turbine according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a cable for enabling input and/or output of one or more of a power output line, a control system and power input to be connectable between the turbine and a remote location, wherein the electrical connection means comprises a first connection element provided for rotation with the turbine and a second connection element arranged to be non-rotating and connected to the cable to a remote location.   
     
     
         14 . A turbine according to  claim 13 , wherein:
 the connection means is a slip ring arrangement.   
     
     
         15 . A turbine according to  claim 1  wherein:
 the plurality of blades of the turbine are fixedly mounted to a shaft, substantially preventing relative movement therebetween. 
 
     
     
         16 . A turbine according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a thrust bearing assembly arranged to control deflection of the turbine, in a direction generally parallel to the axis of rotation assembly, the turbine further comprising a braking means arranged to cause braking of the component of the thrust bearing assembly.   
     
     
         17 . A turbine according to  claim 16 , wherein:
 the thrust bearing assembly includes a braking means.   
     
     
         18 . A marine turbine arranged to be supported in a fluid flow, the turbine comprising:
 a generator including a rotor for rotation with the turbine, electrical connection means enabling electrical input and/or output of one or more of an output power line, a control system and power input to be connectable between the turbine and a remote location, the electrical connection means including a first connection element provided for rotation with the rotor of the generator and a second connection element arranged to be non-rotating.   
     
     
         19 . A turbine according to  claim 18 , wherein:
 the first connection element is a slip ring arrangement.   
     
     
         20 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A generator for a marine turbine, the generator comprising a rotor arrangement and a stator arrangement, the generator being arranged to be flooded with the fluid in which the marine turbine is immersed. 
     
     
         30 . A generator for a marine turbine, the generator having a rotor and a stator, wherein the rotor and/or the stator is provided with a matrix, layer and/or coating to provide a fluid sealing function. 
     
     
         31 . A generator according to  claim 30 , wherein:
 the gap between rotor and stator is flooded when in use.   
     
     
         32 . A turbine comprising:
 a shaft having blades connected thereto and a generator arranged such that a force applied to the blades causes rotation of the shaft thereby activating the generator, the turbine further comprising an axial load bearing assembly including a braking means arranged to control rotation of the shaft.   
     
     
         33 . A turbine according to  claim 32 , wherein:
 the braking means includes a braking surface onto which a brake acts.   
     
     
         34 . (canceled)